Working overtime….what career is better?

[Hotchocolateandsnow]

I am working late again tonight, I worked yesterday on my day off and till 10pm nearly every night last week. It’s not uncommon and sometimes expected.

What jobs / careers do people have that allow them to work 9-5 and have a good work life balance. Open to ideas please 🙏

Public sector science. But you need good boundaries!

@Astrial ohhh I’m private sector science so this could be an option!

I think 9 - 5 and good work life balance aren’t compatible, I’m a Nurse and spent the first 12 years of my career working shifts (lates, earlier, nights etc) I had lots of free time, was able to have long periods off work using only small amounts of annual leave, never had the Sunday scaries etc.

I changed roles a few years ago and now work 9 - 5, lets just say I’ve been shocked at how little time I feel like I have, I’ve started to have a “live for the weekend” mentality which I despise, often end up working late to finish tasks and I’’m more exhausted than I’ve ever been.

Maybe consider more flexible working type roles if work life balance is what you’re after.

This is interesting. Why do you think this is? Were your nurse shifts 12 hours so less time spent commuting etc? Or another reason?

I worked 36 hours a week so 3 x 12.5 shifts (either days or nights) or you could choose to work 4 x 9.5 shifts, the early starts were great for beating the traffic, I had days off in the week, I had 5 “request” a month which meant if I needed/wanted to make sure I had the weekend off I could. I never needed to use annual leave for appointments, birthdays, anniversaries, nursery events, Christmas shopping etc

I moved to the 9 - 5 as I was finding it hard to sleep after nights on a weekend with young children in the house. Otherwise I would have stayed.

@LML1989AL I have considered shift patterns as a few friends do it and I get what you are saying about the balance. I worry i would be too tired but definitely another option to consider